Today we’d like to introduce you to Jo Panganiban.
Jo, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always had a love for arts & crafts. I love designer paper, cardstock, stationary, pens and markers. I’ve always loved adding a personal touch to cards, gift tags & gift wrap. And when I had my daughter in 1994, I started making my own invitations, party favors and party decor. I would also do the same for my family. I hadn’t really made a name for myself or my work until much later. I can’t even remember when exactly but I want to say sometime in 2000. My hobby for making invitations and party stuff became a little side business. My main clients were my family and family friends but it was still pocket money. I didn’t really know what to charge back then so I would work with my client’s budget. I had to read up and kind of based prices from what I saw in Etsy shops… haha! I really didn’t know. It was a few years later when I was able to set prices for certain items.
For a long time, my clients were still just family and family friends. It was in October 2015 when I got what I considered my first “real” order. It was from National City’s one and only, It’s in the Filling! She asked about holiday gift tags to go with her baked goods. I made her a few samples and it was a Christmas gift tag that started our business relationship. It has been awesome working with her every holiday since then. It was also from her that I met The Sweet Apple from Chula Vista.
It was just this past year that I made a facebook page for ojeypang creations and got to work with other small businesses. I am still trying to grow my business here in North Carolina.
Has it been a smooth road?
Omg… no… haha! I felt like my work was so plain and didn’t really have any creativity. I felt like it didn’t look cool or special in any way. I didn’t have special tools or cutting machines until the past few years..but I still didn’t think my work was great. I got sucked into Pinterest and Instagram and saw so many different and much nicer designs and cards. And social media wasn’t really a thing when I first started so I didn’t really know how to get my work known other than word of mouth or my family sharing it. When social media did become a thing… it was hard to keep up with it. I started with an Etsy shop but that didn’t work out so well for me. I made more connections through Instagram, Facebook and of course, word of mouth.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
ojeypang creations make invitations, party favors/decor, cards, gift tags, DIY projects/items, home decor… a little bit of everything arts & crafts… haha! But I think I’m mostly known for my gift tags. I love being able to add a personal touch to something… even if it’s something as small and simple as a tag or card.
I’m very detail-oriented and nit-picky..or I guess you can say OCD about certain things and ways I do my work. I’d rather fussy cut or use a paper puncher than my Silhouette Cameo. I use certain scissors for certain things. I have favorite scissors and a favorite paper trimmer/cutter. But this is all to make sure my projects look neat and clean when they are finished. I’ll always make a sample and make sure with my client if they want to make any changes or add anything before I even start the order.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
If you asked me five years ago. I would say NO. But it’s so different now. San Diego, the small cities and the communities within have been more open and supportive to small businesses. I think it’s a great place for someone just starting out. There are so many fairs & markets to share your work. You can network and collaborate with other businesses. Even though there are other businesses that offer the same services and/or products… the finished product always has its own special look.
Contact Info:
- Email: jocpang14@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram/ojeypang_creations
- Facebook: Facebook.com/ojeypangcreations
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
